Depending on your political inclinations, Epstein is said to have been murdered by those aligned with either Donald Trump or the Clintons.

Given the allegations of Epstein’s involvement with Prince Andrew – all strongly denied by Buckingham Palace – it shouldn’t be long before Princess Diana conspiracies rise again, and we hear rumours of a dark plot involving the royal family in the Epstein death.

Artist sketch of Jeffrey Epstein, centre, during his arraignment in New York federal court on July 8, 2019. Credit: AP

The trouble with most conspiracy theories is that, although there might be a whiff of smoke, there’s no sign of fire.

Things like credible evidence are missing.

While I’m no fan of these theories – I’ve got cauliflower ears from the assumptions of the well-intended – I am a fan of a chronology, which is the backbone of any investigation.

Life and death in The Hole

Consider this – Epstein is denied bail on sex trafficking charges and returns to his cell in the Special Housing Unit, known by prisoners as 'The Hole'.

This is where people like former cops, lawyers, sex offenders and the like are kept, so as not to expose them to the dangers of the prison’s general population.

Metropolitan Correctional Centre, New York in 2009. (File) Credit: Getty

Just a few days later, on July 23, Epstein allegedly attempts suicide.

His cellmate, the hulking former New York police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, who is awaiting trial for four murders, told authorities he found Epstein in a fetal position on the cell floor.

He had bruising to the neck.

The New York Post reported a source said the injury was 'more consistent with being choked than hanging yourself'.

Suicide watch

Whether the injury by his own hand or someone else’s, Epstein was moved from the cell and put on suicide watch – usually in a special room designed to prevent even the most determined and creative prisoner finding something to aid their death.

No bed linen, no shoelaces and, sometimes, paper clothing.

Inmates are under constant observation and regular psychological assessment.

Epstein was reportedly taken off the watch and returned to a cell in the Special Housing Unit on July 29.

A prison spokesperson declined to comment on these events.

Possible catalyst

Last Friday’s release of a massive pile of court documents outlining allegations by Epstein’s victims wasn’t a surprise.

The documents are from a case brought by Epstein victim Virginia Robert Guiffre against Ghislaine Maxwell - allegedly Epstein’s procurer and confidante.